tuitioN aNd Fees
3. Complete their program of study within 150 percent of the published time frame For example, if your program of study requires 60 credits in order to earn your degree, your maximum time frame is 90 attempted credits Once you have attempted
90 credits, you will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid. See number 2, above, to see what counts as attempted credits. evAluATIon ProCeSS
SAP will be evaluated for all students at the conclusion of the spring semester with the exception of the Police Academy. Students who do not meet the three standards described above will be placed on Financial Aid suspension. Students who are suspended from financial aid eligibility due to SAP issues may follow the SAP appeal process to request reconsideration.
sap appeal proCess
Students who wish to appeal their SAP suspension must meet with an academic advisor to complete an academic plan. The com- pleted academic plan, along with a written appeal, is to be submitted to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The appeal must include a detailed explanation of the circumstances which led to the poor academic performance or additional time needed to complete the degree. It is recommended that students appealing suspension carefully review their academic transcript to ensure that the overall performance is explained in the written appeal.
All appeals must include:
• a copy of the completed academic plan;
• an explanation of why the student failed to meet SAP standards, accompanied by documentation;
• an explanation of what has changed that will allow the student to meet SAP standards at the next evaluation period. Appeals must be received by July 1 for fall enrollment. Advising appointments will begin on April 1 for fall. Appeals must be received by November 1 for spring only enrollment. Advising appointments will begin on October 1 for spring only enrollment. approVed appeals
Students whose appeals are successful will be placed on financial aid probation and must adhere to the terms of their academic plan. The Office of Financial Aid will monitor progress. Students must alert their academic advisor if they feel that they cannot meet the terms of the academic plan as outlined. Students can revise their academic plans only once.
deNied appeals
Students whose appeals are denied will remain on financial aid suspension. Students who are on financial aid suspension are not eligible to receive federal student financial aid but are allowed to continue attending the college at their own expense if they are academically eligible to do so.
re-establishiNg eligibilitY
Reinstatement of aid eligibility after financial aid suspension is not automatic when students improve their GPA or completion rate. However, students who improve to the point of meeting SAP criteria at any point before the stated end of the academic plan will again be eligible.
treatMeNt oF FiNaNCial aid wheN a studeNt withdraws
Students who are awarded Title IV financial aid must earn their aid by attending classes. Federal regulations require that when students withdraw from the college or stop attending classes during a payment period (such as a semester) that the amount of the federal student financial assistance received be adjusted to the amount that has been “earned” up to the point the student withdraws or stops attending classes. The amount of assistance earned is determined based on the portion of the payment period that the student completed. For example, if a student withdraws from the college after attending 30 percent of the semester, they have “earned” 30 percent of their financial aid. If the student has received less than the aid “earned,” the funds are released; if the student has received more than the aid “earned,” the excess funds must be returned. Once the student has completed 60 percent or more of the payment period, they have “earned” all of the assistance awarded.
If the student must return funds, the funds are returned to the financial aid programs from which the student received them. Funds are returned in the following order: Federal Stafford, PLUS Loan Program, Federal Pell Grants, Federal ACG Grants, Federal SEOG awards, and other Title IV student assistance.
oTher STAnDArDS
Financial aid can only be received for a maximum of one year of developmental coursework (30 Equivalent Hours). Developmental course grades are considered in calculating students’ cumulative GPAs for SAP purposes; ESL credit courses are considered in determining students’ cumulative GPA, completion rate, and program completion percentage.
Police Academy and Cosmetology financial aid recipients must maintain continuous enrollment in each term to remain eligible for financial aid. Continued eligibility will be based on the number of clock hours completed.
Scholarship recipients must maintain the GPA required by the scholarship provider in order to receive the scholarship funds.
disburseMeNt
Students who have been awarded financial aid and have completed all necessary steps to receive funds will have their accounts credited toward the cost of tuition and fees. Any remaining funds after tuition, fees, and bookstore charges (if applicable) will be refunded to the student by Student Accounts.
oVerawards
Students may not receive more federal student financial assistance than they “need.” Students who receive federal financial aid awards in excess of their financial need will have their assistance adjusted or reduced until they are no longer receiving an over award. The student is responsible for repayment to the college of the over awarded amount. Students also should be aware that they cannot receive federal financial aid at two institutions which they may be simultaneously attending during the same semester.
FiNaNCial literaCY
Prince George’s Community College is committed to promoting the financial health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. Financial literacy covers many things: budgeting, use of credit cards, insurance, tips on money manage- ment, and much more. Use the following link to find help in making good financial decisions.